Recognizing the innovators and leaders shaping the future of cybersecurity and national security

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) today announced the 2026 NVTC Cyber50 honorees, recognizing 50 companies and executives whose innovation, leadership, and impact are advancing cybersecurity across the National Capital Region.

Home to one of the nation's largest concentrations of cybersecurity companies, federal agencies, and technology leaders, Northern Virginia sits at the intersection of technology, national security, and critical infrastructure. The Cyber50 Awards recognize the organizations and individuals leading this work, developing new technologies, protecting critical systems, and helping organizations respond to an increasingly sophisticated threat environment.

"As AI rapidly transforms both cyber threats and our ability to defend against them, we need innovative companies and exceptional leaders who can help us stay ahead," said Jennifer Taylor, president and CEO of NVTC. "Cybersecurity has never been more critical to our national security or to the technologies shaping our future."

The 2026 Cyber50 honorees demonstrate the extraordinary depth of cyber talent and innovation we have right here in our region. We are proud to recognize their impact.

Selected through an independent judging process, this year's Cyber50 represents excellence across three categories: Cyber Companies/Government Contractors, Cyber Executives, and Rising Stars. Together, the honorees reflect the breadth of the region's cybersecurity ecosystem and the important role its companies and leaders play in protecting organizations, critical infrastructure, and national security.

The honorees will be formally recognized at the NVTC Cyber Summit & Cyber50 Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at Appian HQ at Valo Park in McLean, Virginia. This year's Summit will bring together leaders from across industry and government, including executives from Dominion Energy and Google Cloud and senior leaders from the U.S. Department of War and U.S. Department of the Air Force, for conversations about AI risk, critical infrastructure, emerging threats and the future of cybersecurity.

"Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and this year's Cyber50 honorees are helping our organizations and nation stay ahead of that change," said John Zangardi, chair of the NVTC Cyber Summit. "They are applying technology, expertise, and leadership to some of our most consequential security challenges, and we are proud to recognize their contributions to our cybersecurity community."

2026 NVTC Cyber50 Honorees

Cyber50 Company or GovCon

• Andesite AI
• ArmorText
• ASSYST
• ATX Defense
• Corsha
• Customer Value Partners (CVP)
• CyberSheath Services International 
• DTS
• Easy Dynamics
• GuidePoint Security
• Gunnison
• JCS Solutions
• Knox Systems
• MANTECH
• NowSecure
• Owl Cyber Defense
• Pueo Business Solutions
• Quantum Leap
• Revolutional
• Rilian
• RunSafe Security
• SecureG
• Seekr
• Shift5
• ShorePoint
• Veilant
• Virtru

Cyber50 Executive

• Hemant Baidwan, Knox Systems
• Rob Brougham, EY
• Chris Camacho, Abstract
• Vishal Chawla, BluOcean Cyber
• Grant Demaree, Onebrief
• Jothi Dugar, National Institutes of Health, Center for Information Technology
• Tim Fahl, Owl Cyber Defense
• Sarbari Gupta, Electrosoft Services
• Ty Hughes, U.S. Department of State
• David Lackey, CISOnow
• Luke McFadden, Gunnison
• Sean Papso, Invictus, a Red River Company
• Eric Pickersgill, FINRA
• Kelly Rozumalski, Booz Allen
• Alex Rudnev, ArmorText
• Sean Stalzer, Dominion Energy
• Harsh Verma, Palo Alto Networks
• Dave Wajsgras, Everfox

Cyber50 Rising Star

• Anmol Agarwal, Nokia
• Charles Britt, Fairfax County Public Schools
• Danielle Dredge, Gunnison
• Natasha MacDonald, Dark Wolf
• Andrew Schoka, Hardshell

The Cyber50 Awards are part of NVTC's broader commitment to convening and the region's technology community and strengthening Northern Virginia's position as a global center for cybersecurity innovation.

To learn more about the 2026 Cyber50 honorees and the NVTC Cyber Summit & Cyber50 Awards, visit nvtc.org/cyber.

About Northern Virginia Technology Council

Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is where the region's technology community comes together. Representing over 500 companies and organizations—from global technology companies to innovative startups and leading universities—NVTC convenes and champions the region's tech community to advance innovation, build a future-ready workforce and drive economic and societal impact. Through its programs, events, advocacy and industry communities, NVTC connects leaders, elevates the voice of the technology sector and strengthens Northern Virginia's position as one of the world's leading technology hubs. Learn more at nvtc.org.

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SOURCE Northern Virginia Technology Council